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Is it possible to mount cartridge without using a protractor?

Hello-

I recently purchased the Technics SL 1200 GR TT and have mounted the MoFi Master Tracker cartridge. My friend actually did the set up for me, including adjusting the arm and the phono pre. It sounds pretty good! We did this without using a protractor as I didn't see one shipped with the TT and he didn't bring one (was thinking he would)

Question is-

Should I continue to play music and order a protractor for an "official setup" or wait till the protractor arrives and adjust accordingly. I don't want to mess up the stylus or my vinyl if it's way off. I can't imagine it is as it sounds pretty darn good. 

Thanks!

Ps: Ordering the Mint Best Tractor
128x128knollbrent
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cleeds
5,970 posts
 
chakster


I don't like mirrors when it comes to protractors, i remember Van Den Hul protractor with mirror and it was a nighmare, because all the printed lines are reflected in the mirror and it was impossible to detect where is the actual printed line and where is the reflection of the line.
It sounds like you weren't using the tool properly. The purpose of having both the actual etched line and a reflection of the line is to sight it so that those two images align perfectly. That's how you can ensure that parallax error isn't influencing the alignment.
fleschler
2,021 posts
 
I can see difficulty using any protractor when the pivot point is poorly defined in high end tonearms.  Luckily, I have an SME IV and Ultracraft AC400 which are easy to adjust.  I always wondered how to adjust an arm with an ill-defined pivot point.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@cleeds maybe, i just prefer Feickert latest protractor to anything else. Since we have to align the cantilever, not the cartridge body, i'm fine with Feickert, i don't relly need that mirror and all that reflections. Making cantilever in line is easy with front view and to make the stylus tip on point is esy with side view. The top view is to make a cartridge offset in line. Feickert is user friendly. 

But i also mentioned free protractor that comes with Hi-Fi Test LP which i've been using prior to Feickert.  
knollbrent's avatar
knollbrent OP
526 posts
 
Thank you everyone for chiming in. I really appreciate your knowledge and will let you know what I hear from this adjustment. 
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